Show of Support

Displaying a “show of support” for the arts, the City of Sunny Isles Beach recently hosted a networking event previewing culturally diverse shows debuting at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. The city’s “show of support” for education was also recently recognized by Miami- Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who praised the City Commission for investing in education and the success of future leaders.

‘SUPPORTING EDUCATION’
As Superintendent of Miami- Dade Public Schools, Alberto Carvalho leads the nation’s fourth largest school system and continuously emphasizes the importance of “partnerships” to support education. While speaking before hundreds of business and community leaders gathered at the Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort, Carvalho expressed special thanks to the City of Sunny Isles Beach for fostering student success.

“It takes the ‘power of partnerships’ between county and municipal sectors to elevate the quality of life in our community,” Carvalho said. “There is a concrete example that comes in the shape of Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Norman Edelcup and Commissioners. These are people who recognize there is a need and that Miami- Dade Public Schools cannot afford to do everything we would like to do for communities.

“In Sunny Isles Beach, ‘the good people’ step up, speak up and deliver. They make a financial commitment to provide greater opportunities for the students in the community they serve. Mayor Edelcup and Commissioners – I thank you for your dedication, your vision and your courage to do right by these young people…[Working together] we can elevate the dignity of our community by elevating our most precious commodity- our kids – so they can see tomorrow stretches far beyond the street corners where they live today.”

Before the bell rings for the new school year, Sunny Isles Beach will host a “Back to School Picnic” featuring a presentation of the Summer Camp 2012 Talent Showcase at Heritage Park (Saturday, August 11 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) The free event will also include activities for all ages including crafts, games and food.

‘SUPPORTING FUTURE LEADERS’
Demonstrating a “show of support” for college-bound students, for the second year, the city bestowed scholarships to graduating high school seniors. This year, the “best and brightest” from Sunny Isles Beach and Golden Beach were recognized during a gala event in April at the Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort.

Scholarship recipients received as much as $2,500 towards their college expenses and had the opportunity to meet Emmy Award winning newsman Ari Odzer, who served as Emcee; as well as special guest speaker Dr. Steven Moll, Vice Provost of Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus.

Odzer expressed his feelings about the city’s support of education and the scholarship program, noting, “I wish they had scholarship programs such as this when I was off to college…Every bit helps in today’s costly era of college tuition.” Moll also shares the city’s commitment to ensuring graduates are prepared to succeed in a global market. On the topic of tuition, he explains that while costs continue to rise, FIU’s support from the state remains the same today as it was in 1999.

As an added “scholarship bonus” – Sunny Isles Beach residents attending Florida International University are now eligible for a special scholarship dedicated to first generation students. These scholarships, bestowed in partnership with the State of Florida, match pledged amounts dollar for dollar. This year, ten $1,000 scholarships were awarded to students – five of whom attended a Sunny Isles Beach City Commission meeting to be recognized for their achievements.

On another high note, Moll always invites the community to attend FIU’s Prestige Cultural Series events sponsored by “Friends of Biscayne Bay Campus” supported by the city and featuring performances such as the Russian opera held in Sunny Isles Beach.

‘SUPPORTING HIGHER LEARNING’
Over the past four years, the Sunny Isles Beach Community School Fund has raised more than $400,000 for the Norman S. Edelcup K-8 School and the Alonzo and Tracy Mourning High School to help support scholarships and acquire materials, supplies and technology to improve and advance curriculum. Fund supporters joining the City of Sunny isles Beach and Town of Golden Beach include residents, developers, architects and, businesses.

“Classrooms of today are dramatically different from those of just one generation ago,” explains Dr. Annette Weissman, principal of the Norman S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach K-8 School. You can see the impact of the digital age in all classrooms and in all areas of the curriculum. And of course, communication between the home and the school has changed as a result of the digital age. On February 1, 2012 we celebrated ‘Digital Day’ and captured some of our students and teachers using the latest technology.

“The Norman S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach K-8 is very fortunate to have up-todate instructional tools that are used every day to deliver the curriculum. Our teachers take many professional development classes to stay current on the latest instructional initiatives that take advantage of the new technology. They share best practices and resources so that teaching and learning remain relevant and timely. It is an exciting time to be teaching here!”

‘SUPPORTING THE ARTS’
When the curtain went up on the Aventura Marketing Council’s June breakfast meeting hosted by the City of Sunny Isles Beach at the Trump International Beach Resort, John Richard, CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, expressed appreciation to the city for helping to support the mission to “enlighten, educate and entertain the community through transformational arts and cultural experiences.”

“Thanks to the united force of the public and private sectors investing in the arts, we’re elevating our status to ‘worldclass,’” Richard said, going on to present a preview of the Arsht Center’s 2012/2013 calendar highlighted by Broadway in Miami productions including the Tony Award winning musical Memphis; Bette Midler in Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Les Miserables; Rock of Ages; Mary Poppins; and STOMP. The acclaimed Jazz Roots series will start in November; and America’s finest performers will play favorite music when National Treasures debuts in January.

During the event, Mayor Edelcup invited business and community leaders to attend festivities celebrating the city’s 15th anniversary that included a concert by renowned jazz artist Nicole Henry and a “Taste of Sunny Isles Beach” featuring an array of international foods. The Mayor also spoke about the groundbreaking of Gateway Park coming to the south end of Sunny Isles Beach; and the city’s commitment to building parks within walking distance of all residents, serving as venues for culturally enriching and entertaining events throughout the year.

The city’s Summer 2012 Calendar of Programs and Events features a Golden Era Film Series; Cultural Trips and Events; plus an array of activities for adults and children including guitar classes, piano lessons musical theater and dance camps.

For more information, visit sibfl.net or call the Cultural and Community Services Department at 305-792-1706.